Who else is completely over the snow? I don’t know about you, but I found March pretty disappointing—and April isn’t looking much better so far. I have to confess though… I’m actually in Europe right now, so I’ve luckily missed this latest storm.

I spent a day in London recently on a mission to track down a chocolate bar I first tried at the Vegan Fashion Show. It reminds me so much of a Mars bar and was honestly amazing. I haven’t seen it anywhere in Toronto since—does anyone know where to find it?

Back to this edition of the Insider: This week has a couple of local events to check out, and there’s a lot more coming up in the months ahead.

Thanks again for being here, and I’ll see you again next week.

Week of Apr 3 - 9 :

News:

• Café Allwood has extended its hours and is now open late from 10 AM to 9 PM, Wednesday to Saturday. Guests can enjoy dinner and coffee alongside live reggae and jazz from 6–9 PM, all in a space that blends plant-based cuisine with art, fashion, and culture.

• The VegOut Podcast dropped a compelling new episode this week, and the first part was interesting. It covers Impossible Foods' use of animal testing for its key ingredient, soy leghemoglobin—the compound responsible for the burger’s meat-like appearance and flavour. Guest expert Michele Champagne, who specializes in food safety and regulation, breaks down how the testing came about and how novel food ingredients are assessed. Part 2 of the conversation comes out on April 5, with more discussion on Impossible’s decision and how other companies have handled similar dilemmas. You can listen on all major podcast platforms.

Events:

• Vegan Speed Dating
  📅 Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
  🕒 Time: Doors open at 6:30 PM; event runs from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  📍 Location: Star School, 758 Bathurst Street, Toronto
  🎟️ Tickets: Available via Eventbrite

  An opportunity for vegan singles to connect through a series of brief, timed interactions in a welcoming environment.

• Hot for Food x Fatty Bear Breakfast Croissant Pop-Up
  📅 Dates: Saturday, April 5 & Sunday, April 6, 2025
  🕒 Time: From 9:00 AM (while supplies last)
  📍 Location: Fatty Bear Bakes, 1607 Dupont Street, Toronto

  For one weekend only, Lauren Toyota of Hot for Food is teaming up with Fatty Bear Bakes to serve a limited-edition vegan breakfast croissant. The sandwich features a chickpea & tofu egg, yuba bacon, vegan cheddar, arugula, and herbed mayo on a fresh Fatty Bear croissant. Available in-store only; no preorders, so show up early.

• Aunty Em's Vegan Pizza Pop-Up at Left Field Brewery
  📅 Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
  🕒 Time: 6:00 PM onward
  📍 Location: Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto
  🎟️ Tickets: First come, first served

  Aunty Em's Pizza is hosting a vegan pizza pop-up at Left Field Brewery's Leslieville location.

Activism:

• Cube of Truth: Toronto
  📅 Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
  🕒 Time: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
  📍 Location: (Location not confirmed publicly – see Facebook group for details)
  ℹ️ Note: Those interested in volunteering with Anonymous for the Voiceless (AV) are encouraged to join the AV Toronto Facebook group for updates.

  The Cube of Truth is a street outreach action where volunteers show standard practice footage from animal agriculture and engage in structured conversations with the public. Attendees are asked to watch the AV Masterclass and Outreach Protocol ahead of time and follow all guidelines, including wearing plain black or AV-branded clothing and preparing a device loaded with AV footage. Masks, signs, and outreach cards are provided. Personal belongings will not be stored—bring only what you can carry.

The Toronto Vegan Restaurants Guide 2025

World Vegan News:

• Scientists Develop Plant-Based Gelatin Substitute
  Researchers are exploring the use of gum tragacanth as a plant-based substitute for gelatin. This development could lead to vegan-friendly alternatives in food and packaging applications, addressing both ethical and sustainability concerns associated with animal-derived gelatin. ​

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• Vegan Potluck and Games Night
  📅 Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
  🕒 Time: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
  📍 Location: Scarborough Village Community Centre, Toronto

  This community potluck invites vegans, vegetarians, and the veg-curious to share a meal and enjoy games together. Attendees are asked to bring a fully vegan dish, along with their own utensils, plates, and cups, as supplies at the venue may be limited. After dinner, the group will play games—feel free to bring your favourites to share. Participants are responsible for their own cleanup. Find more info here.

• Vegan Kimchi Workshop
  📅 Date: Monday, April 14, 2025
  ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  📍 Location: 26 Sousa Mendes St, Toronto
  🎟️ Tickets: sodaam.com

  Learn the basics of Korean fermentation at So Daam’s Vegan Kimchi Workshop, where you'll make your own vegan kimchi from scratch—no fish sauce or shrimp paste involved. The session also includes a warm serving of Vegan Kimchi Jeon (Korean kimchi pancake) and a recipe to take home. This hands-on class is designed for all experience levels and offers a fun, informative dive into plant-based Korean cooking.

• Vegan Speed Dating
  📅 Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
  🕒 Time: 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET
  📍 Location: Online
  🎟️ Tickets: $15 (increases to $20 after April 11 at 11:00 PM ET)

  A one-hour online event for plant-based and vegan singles to connect in a series of seven-minute video chats. Participants are matched through a questionnaire and can chat with up to seven like-minded people. LGBTQ inclusive, with 25% of net proceeds donated to PETA.

• 🚶‍♀️ 3rd Annual Anti-Vivisection Walk
  📅 Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
  ⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
  📍 Location: Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland St, Toronto
  🔗 Event details: Facebook Event Page

  Join this annual walk to raise awareness about animal testing and vivisection. The event aims to educate and advocate for cruelty-free alternatives while fostering a compassionate community.

• The Conscious Coffee Party
  📅 Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
  🕒 Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  📍 Location: Centre for Social Innovation – Spadina, 192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
  🎟️ Tickets: Early-bird $20 until April 16; standard $25

  A casual daytime social focused on sustainable, low-waste, and plant-based living. Expect free coffee, tea, and vegan bites, plus music, dancing, and a chance to connect with like-minded people. Bringing your own cup is encouraged.

• Plant-Based Toronto TTC Ad Campaign Launch Party
  📅 Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
  📍 Location: The Redwood Theatre, 1300 Gerrard Street East,
  ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 2:00 AM
  🎟️ Tickets: Eventbrite (Early bird discount until May 18)

  🌱 This event celebrates the launch of the Plant-Based Toronto ad campaign, which will run across Toronto’s two main TTC subway lines throughout June. The campaign features 22 local leaders from the food industry and non-profit sector advocating for a more plant-based Toronto.

  The launch party will bring together members of the plant-based community, including foodies, creators, and influencers.

• 2025 Toronto Animal Rights March
  📅 Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM
  📍 Location: Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON

  The annual Toronto Animal Rights March returns this July as part of a global movement demanding justice and legal protection for animals. Organized by local activist groups including No Low – Plant Powered, the event invites participants to unite in solidarity for animal liberation. Full details to be announced—participants are encouraged to save the date and invite others.

  🔗 Event link

• Vegandale Toronto 2025
  📅 Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
  📍 Location: Woodbine Park
  🎟️ Tickets available: Here ($$ increase after today)

  Vegandale returns to Toronto for another full day of food, music, art, and ethical consumerism—all 100% vegan. While specific vendors and performers have yet to be announced, past events have featured global plant-based brands, bold branding, and an unapologetically vegan atmosphere.

• VegTO Fest 2025
  📅 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025 (11:00 AM – 7:00 PM) & Sunday, September 21, 2025 (11:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
  📍 Location: Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
  🎟️ Free admission

  🌱 VegTO Fest announced it will return for its 40th anniversary with the theme Eat. Innovate. Transform. Expect two full days of plant-based food vendors, guest speakers, and community-driven experiences focused on the future of sustainable and compassionate living. More details to come closer to the date.
  

Do you have a business or event that you think should be listed? Email us at [email protected] to submit a request.